he world,
and hurried away to the country of light. He broke out of this cage of
contingent being and soared into the endless, placeless Realm. May God
enfold him in the waters of His mercy, cause His forgiveness to rain down
upon him, and bestow on him the wonders of abounding grace. Salutations be
unto him, and praise.

'ABDU'R-RAHMAN, THE COPPERSMITH

This was a patient and long-enduring man, a native of Ka_sh_an. He was one
of the very earliest believers. The down was not yet upon his cheek when
he drank of the love of God, saw with his own eyes the heavenly table
spread out before him, and received his faith and his portion of abounding
grace.

In a little while he left his home and set out for the rose garden that
was Ba_gh_dad, where he achieved the honor of entering the presence of
Baha'u'llah. He spent some time in 'Iraq, and won a crown of endless
favor: he would enter the presence of Baha'u'llah and many a time would
accompany Him on foot to the Shrine of the Two Kazims; this was his great
delight.

'Abdu'r-Rahman was among the prisoners exiled to Mosul, and later he
fairly dragged himself to the fortress at Akka. Here he lived, blessed by
Baha'u'llah. He carried on a small business, trifling, but he was content
with it, happy and at peace. Thus, walking the path of righteousness, he
lived to be eighty years old, at which time, serenely patient, he soared
away to the Threshold of God. May the Lord enfold him there with His
bounty and compassion, and clothe him in the garment of forgiveness. His
luminous grave is in Akka.

MUHAMMAD-IBRAHIM-I-TABRIZI

This man, noble and high-minded, was the son of the respected
'Abdu'l-Fattah who was in the Akka prison. Learning that his father was a
captive there, he came with all speed to the fortress so that he too might
have a share of those dire afflictions. He was a man wise, understanding,
in a tumult from drinking the wine of the love of God, but with a
wonderful, basic serenity and calm.

He had inherited the nature of his father, and he exemplified the saying
that the child is the secret essence of its sire. For this reason, over a
long period, he found delight in the neighborhood of the Divine Presence,
enjoying utter peace. Daytimes, he would carry on his trade, and at night
he would come in all haste to the door of the house, to be with the
friends. He was close to all those who were staunch and true; he was full
of courage; he was gra